10 Rare Insights Every Anxious Person Should Know

By Dr Jeremy Dean

Why anxious people are agreeable, the supplement that reduces anxiety, dangers of anxiety drugs, the benefits of optimistic thinking and more…

Ten new psychology studies reveal why some people are anxious, how to reduce anxiety and much more.

1. Why anxious people are too agreeable

Disagreeing with others activates areas of the brain linked to anxiety in some people, new research finds.

This helps to explain why some choose to agree all the time — it spares them psychological discomfort.

Dr Juan Dominguez, one of the study’s authors, explained:

“People like to agree with others, a social default known as the truth bias, which is helpful in forming and maintaining social relationships.

People don’t like to say that others are not telling to truth or lying because this creates an uncomfortable situation.”

2. Omega-3 supplementation reduces anxiety

Omega-3 supplements reduce anxiety and even lower inflammation in healthy people, research finds.

A high quality study has shown that the supplement reduces anxiety by an average of 20%.

Professor Martha Belury, one of the study’s authors, explained:

“The supplement was probably about four or five times the amount of fish oil you’d get from a daily serving of salmon, for example.”

3. Optimistic thinking benefits the anxious brain

Optimistic thinking could change areas of the brain related to anxiety, a new study finds.

The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is an area of the brain important in anxiety and optimism.

Now researchers have found that people who are more optimistic have larger OFCs.

Professor Florin Dolcos added:

“If you can train people’s responses, the theory is that over longer periods, their ability to control their responses on a moment-by-moment basis will eventually be embedded in their brain structure.”